UFC star Sean O`Malley is making significant changes to his personal habits as he prepares to reclaim the men`s bantamweight championship. The popular fighter lost his 135-pound title to Merab Dvalishvili in a demanding bout at UFC 306 last September.
Following the decisive defeat, the 30-year-old felt compelled to re-evaluate his training regimen and daily routines.
As a result, he has decided to give up two activities he previously enjoyed: smoking marijuana and masturbation.
Speaking on his TimboSuga podcast with head coach Sean Welch, O`Malley revealed, “I haven’t j’d the peen (masturbated) once this year – not once in 2025. Haven’t j’d the peen, haven’t been on social. I haven’t gamed, either. I quit gaming.”
He explained that he used to spend a considerable amount of time playing video games, often two or three hours daily, and needed to replace that time with other activities.
“We’ve been playing a lot of Texas Hold ‘Em poker with the fellas,” he noted, adding, “It’s been too fun. It’s like gaming.”
O`Malley also shared his decision to quit smoking weed. He stopped randomly because he disliked how it made him feel, observing that he`s now not overeating and his sleep quality has improved.
Despite experiencing these positive effects from abstaining from marijuana, O`Malley mentioned that he doesn`t view it as a permanent decision and might smoke cannabis again in the future.
He clarified, “I’m not done smoking forever, but just right now I don’t feel the need to. And I just don’t have any desire to. I feel like it’s been good.”
O`Malley is set to face Dvalishvili again in the main event of UFC 316, taking place in Newark next Sunday morning. He is confident that these comprehensive lifestyle adjustments will positively impact his performance inside the octagon.
According to O`Malley, “I feel like a lot of things that have changed in my life are going to attribute to my performance.”
He cited staying off social media as a prime example: “For example, not being on social media. I decided in 2025 [that] I’m done with social media. I don’t get on social media, and I feel like that’s changed my life.”
O`Malley believes the change has been profound, stating, “It’s only been three months, but I literally feel like it’s changed my life, and I feel like that’s going to play a role in my performance.”
He concluded that these various decisions and sacrifices, while not necessarily feeling like hardships, are aimed at enhancing his competitive edge. “All those little things –making decisions like that, sacrifices. I don’t believe [social media] is a sacrifice, but giving up something, I feel like that is going to help me perform in the future.”
Percy Harlow